While Sasson, reached this week by ESPN, declined to comment and said the lawsuit spoke for itself, Braun's attorney, Howard Weitzman, rejected the claims against his client.

"This lawsuit is an unfortunate attempt to capitalize on Ryan's recent press attention for taking responsibility for his actions. The factual allegations and the legal claims have absolutely no merit. We believe the lawsuit will be dismissed," he said in a statement.

According to Sasson, he was contacted by Braun's agent, Nez Balelo, in 2011 after Braun learned he tested positive for high levels of testosterone. As part of the agreement between the two, Sasson was to conduct background research on Dino Laurenzi Jr., the collector of Braun's urine sample.

Sasson also said he had to threaten Braun and Balelo to receive the $5,000 he was promised for doing the background research. Sasson also signed a non-disclosure agreement, but said Braun violated the agreement when he made defamatory remarks about Sasson to undisclosed parties.

The line was drawn for Sasson, though, when Braun asked him to "prank call" ESPN reporter Mark Fainaru-Wada in December 2011to say, "The original information Quinn and Fainaru-Wada had obtained regarding Braun was part of an elaborate conspiracy to assassinate the character of multiple baseball players and agents including, but not limited to, Ryan Braun." Sasson did not comply with the request.

Braun is close to admitting his use of performance-enhancing drugs, which will include an apology to commissioner Bud Selig, Laurenzi Jr., his teammates and peers.